The Japanese proverb, "Nana korobi, ya oki," translates to "Fall down seven times, stand up eight." No matter how often you get knocked down, you must get up again. That is resilience, mental toughness, or grit.

Highly successful individuals everywhere share this ability to persevere in the face of challenge and bounce back from setbacks. You don't have to be the smartest or the most talented person in your class or in your field, so long as you persist through every obstacle or defeat you encounter and try harder the next time. This is a key character trait you need to get through the academy, the mindset you need to succeed.

The academy will be tough, with courses that academically, physically, and emotionally exhaust you, pushing you to your limits and testing you daily. It is designed to expose your inner strengths and build upon them, molding you into a stronger, smarter, and better version of yourself; but the process is effective only if you have Resiliency, the ability to persevere.

The other key characteristics that help you succeed include:

• Drive – the unrelenting need for achievement and constant self-improvement


• Adaptability – the ability to adjust according to the situation, learn new things, innovate, and try new methods


• Humility – self-confidence in one's ability while understanding that there's always room for improvement and that others' experiences and knowledge are valuable


• Integrity – an adherence to not only what is legal but also what is right


• Effective intelligence – the ability to apply one's knowledge to real-world scenarios


• Team-ability – the ability to function as part of a team, placing the success of the whole above the needs of the self


• Curiosity – a desire to explore the unknown and question the status quo in pursuit of better, more effective solutions


• Emotional strength – a positive attitude, high empathy, and control over one's emotions, especially in chaotic and stressful situations.

We look for these traits in our candidates, but they only become evident through our hiring process and then the academies. The candidates who have a combination of these traits are most likely to excel, in this or in any other endeavor, so develop them within yourself as preparation for the academy.

Recommended Reading

Want to learn more about fostering a mindset for success in the academy or in life? We recommend the following books:

• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, by Angela Duckworth
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
• Atomic Habits (Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones), by James Clear
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey